US20190119024A1 - Method for filling a thin-body flexible bag provided with a spout - Google Patents
Method for filling a thin-body flexible bag provided with a spout Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190119024A1 US20190119024A1 US16/168,207 US201816168207A US2019119024A1 US 20190119024 A1 US20190119024 A1 US 20190119024A1 US 201816168207 A US201816168207 A US 201816168207A US 2019119024 A1 US2019119024 A1 US 2019119024A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- spout
- valve
- filling
- main duct
- product
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 241001631457 Cannula Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003892 spreading Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013618 yogurt Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B3/045—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B3/10—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by application of pressure to material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B3/17—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling valve bags
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
- B65B39/001—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves
- B65B39/004—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves moving linearly
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
- B65B61/186—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating rigid fittings, e.g. discharge spouts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/5861—Spouts
- B65D75/5866—Integral spouts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
- B65D77/062—Flexible containers disposed within polygonal containers formed by folding a carton blank
- B65D77/065—Spouts, pouring necks or discharging tubes fixed to or integral with the flexible container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
- B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
- B65D47/2031—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/5861—Spouts
- B65D75/5872—Non-integral spouts
- B65D75/5883—Non-integral spouts connected to the package at the sealed junction of two package walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/0055—Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of flexible bags with a spout, usually called “spouted pouches”, and in particular to the field of methods of filling the flexible bags with liquid or semi-dense products, for example fruit juices, yoghurt, fruit purée and the like.
- the filling lines of the packaging must be particularly efficient to ensure high production volumes, and reliable, to avoid production stops.
- valve systems capable of preventing or limiting the accidental leakage of the product (no-spill systems).
- An example of embodiment is described in document WO 2015/145277 by the Applicant.
- a further example of embodiment is described in document WO 00/30969.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a method for filling a flexible bag with a spout provided with a no-spill system which is particularly effective and reliable.
- FIG. 1 shows a thin-body flexible bag provided with a spout
- FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show the spout of the bag in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 shows a partially sectional view of the spout shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b;
- FIG. 4 shows a plan sectional view of the spout of the preceding figures
- FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of region V in FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 shows the spout of the preceding figures, partially sectional, in a configuration of closing a valve
- FIG. 7 shows an enlargement of region VII in FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 shows the spout in FIG. 6 , in a configuration of opening the valve
- FIG. 9 shows an enlargement of region IX in FIG. 8 .
- FIGS. 10 and 11 schematically show a filling nozzle and a flexible bag to be filled according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- reference numeral 1 indicates a flexible pouch, comprising a bag 2 formed by two or more walls 4 made of flexible film, facing and joined, for example welded, along the edges, possibly with gusset side walls (gusset pouch) or with a back wall.
- the pouch 1 comprises a spout 6 (spouted pouch) of rigid material, sealingly applied to the bag 2 .
- the spout 6 is typically inserted in a portion of the edge of the bag 2 , usually between the side walls 4 .
- the spout 6 is made as a single piece, internally hollow, of plastic material, for example of polyethylene or polypropylene, by injection molding.
- the spout 6 develops substantially along a longitudinal axis Z and provides externally, in succession, a welding portion 8 , an intermediate portion 10 and an end portion 12 .
- the welding portion 8 comprises an annular base wall 14 , usually internally cylindrical and externally circular, having an inner opening 15 , and a plurality of ribs 16 protruding from the outer surface of the base wall 14 , arranged parallel to each other, in axial succession.
- the welding portion 8 comprises a pair of flat side tabs 18 a , 18 b , projecting radially outwardly from the base wall 14 , arranged diametrically opposite and coplanar on an imaginary plane which contains the longitudinal axis Z.
- the ribs 16 are arranged on one side and on the other of the imaginary plane, extending over the base wall 14 and up to the end of the side tabs 18 a , 18 b , forming a typical “boat” structure, so much so that the welding portion is often referred to as a “welding boat”.
- the intermediate portion 10 preferably comprises a plurality of transverse plates 20 a , 20 b , 20 c , for example in a number of three, lying on imaginary planes orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z, axially spaced apart from each other.
- the plate 20 c closest to the end portion 12 preferably carries a plurality of engagement elements 22 for engaging with a guarantee seal of a spout cap.
- the end portion 12 typically has a thread 26 and a free outer surface 24 .
- the spout 6 is provided with at least two compartments: an inner chamber 30 , accessible through the inner opening 15 , and a main duct 32 , accessible through the mouth portion 28 and adjacent to the inner chamber 30 .
- the inner chamber 30 extends axially starting from the inner opening 15 for the whole welding portion 8 and for a part of the intermediate portion 10 ; the main duct 32 extends axially starting from the mouth portion 28 for the whole end portion 12 and for the remaining part of the intermediate portion 10 .
- the main duct 32 leads into the inner chamber 30 through a tubular tang wall 34 .
- the tang wall 34 has a cylindrical circular inner side surface and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the main duct 32 .
- connection between the inner side surface of the tang wall 34 and the surface of the main duct 32 is obtained from a frustoconical connecting surface 36 .
- the tang wall 34 is surrounded by an annular recess 38 .
- the inner chamber 30 has a circumferential projection 40 , continuous or in segments, and preferably a connecting surface 44 of the inner chamber 30 , between the circumferential projection 40 and the recess 38 , is frustoconical, converging towards the recess.
- a valve assembly 50 is provided inside the spout 6 , in the inner chamber 30 , at the tang wall 34 .
- the valve assembly 50 comprises a valve 52 , made as a single piece, preferably made of silicone, and a retaining ring 54 , made as a single piece, made of plastic material, for supporting and applying the valve 52 .
- the valve 52 comprises an annular outer wall 60 , an annular inner wall 62 , radially arranged inside the outer wall 60 , an intermediate wall 64 , substantially lying on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z, and a flexible membrane 66 which closes the inner wall 62 .
- the membrane 66 has at least one cut 68 , preferably a plurality of through cuts 68 which form membrane flaps 69 , normally closed ( FIG. 7 ).
- the valve 52 is placed abutting against the tang wall 34 ; in particular, the outer wall 60 is at the tang wall 34 .
- valve 52 has a concave profile on the side of the main duct 32 .
- the membrane 66 is flat or concave on the side facing the main duct, while preferably it has a convex profile towards the inner chamber 30 .
- the retaining ring 54 comprises a support portion 70 , which supports the valve 52 , and a tail portion 72 .
- the support portion 70 has internally an annular seat 74 , in which the outer wall 60 of the valve 52 is inserted, and externally a radial projection 76 for the snap engagement with the circumferential projection 40 of the inner chamber 30 .
- the support portion 70 In front of the radial projection 76 , the support portion 70 has a concave support surface 78 to facilitate the snap engagement with the circumferential projection 40 .
- valve assembly 50 is arranged in the inner chamber 30 , but outside the portion of the inner chamber 30 corresponding to the welding portion 8 .
- this allows preventing structural deformations of the valve or of the retaining ring or of both, due to the heat and to the mechanical actions that develop during the welding process of the spout to the bag.
- the latter is inserted into the spout 6 on the side of the inner opening 15 and the valve 52 is brought in abutment with the tang wall 34 .
- valve 52 and in particular the outer wall 60 , remains pinched between the tang wall 34 and the support portion 70 of the retaining ring.
- the bag is filled through the mouth portion 28 of the main duct 32 ( FIGS. 6 to 9 ).
- the filling is carried out by means of a filling nozzle, from which the product to be filled comes out, which for the entire filling step of the bag remains outside the spout.
- a cannula is provided which is inserted into the main duct, passes through the valve membrane, thus spreading the flaps and feeds the product directly into the bag or into the inner chamber of the spout.
- the present invention provides for positioning the filling nozzle outside the spout and letting the product out of it.
- the product flows into the main duct and comes into contact with the membrane 66 of the valve 52 , operating an action from the outside on the latter, such as to deform the flaps 69 inwardly, so as to enter the inner chamber 30 .
- the membrane 66 of the valve 52 provides flaps 69 having to sufficient flexibility to be deformed inwardly by the action of the product fed into the main duct.
- a filling machine for filling the bags with a spout described above comprises a plurality of nozzle groups 100 ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ), comprising a gripping body 102 , which engages with the spout 6 , and a nozzle 104 for dispensing the product, provided with a dispensing end 106 located inside the gripping body 102 .
- the gripping body 102 is provided with a straight gripping conduit 108 , in which the end portion 12 of the spout 6 is partially inserted, and in particular the portion thereof corresponding to the free outer surface 24 .
- the gripping body 102 then internally has a collection compartment 110 , which feeds the gripping conduit 108 and which houses the dispensing end 106 of the nozzle 104 .
- the dispensing end 106 has a delivery port 112 , normally closed, for example by a shutter 114 , preferably in the form of a stem.
- the shutter 114 can be controlled so as to open and close the delivery port 112 .
- the shutter 114 opens the delivery port 112 , the product flows into the collection compartment 110 , then into the gripping conduit 108 and, through the mouth portion 28 , into the main conduit 32 of the spout 6 and, when the valve 52 is opened, inside of the bag 2 .
- the filling method according to the present invention meets the needs of the industry, since it is particularly reliable, does not provide complex injection cannulas and therefore does not put the integrity of the valve at risk, which could be damaged by insertion of the cannula according to the prior art.
- the nozzle partially penetrates into the main duct of the spout, so that the delivery port 112 is located in the main duct 32 , upstream of the valve 52 , without passing therethrough.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Making Paper Articles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to and benefit of Italian Patent Application having Ser. No. 102017000120600, filed Oct. 24, 2017, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to the field of flexible bags with a spout, usually called “spouted pouches”, and in particular to the field of methods of filling the flexible bags with liquid or semi-dense products, for example fruit juices, yoghurt, fruit purée and the like.
- Flexible bags with spout have recently become widespread, due to the practicality of use thereof, which makes them an article particularly appreciated for children, the versatility of use for the containment of products with very different physical-chemical features and the very low cost.
- To date, it is estimated that the worldwide production of flexible bags with spout is a few hundred million pieces per year.
- Therefore, the filling lines of the packaging must be particularly efficient to ensure high production volumes, and reliable, to avoid production stops.
- One of the most felt needs in the field of flexible bags with spout is to have a spout that can prevent the accidental leakage of the product, especially since they are widely consumed among children.
- For this reason, spouts have been designed provided with valve systems capable of preventing or limiting the accidental leakage of the product (no-spill systems). An example of embodiment is described in document WO 2015/145277 by the Applicant. A further example of embodiment is described in document WO 00/30969.
- Obviously, the filling of a flexible bag with spout, the spout whereof has a no-spill system inside, poses some problems. For example, the no-spill system could negatively affect filling times and therefore production volumes.
- The object of the present invention is to provide a method for filling a flexible bag with a spout provided with a no-spill system which is particularly effective and reliable.
- Such an object is achieved by a filling method according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe further advantageous embodiments of the invention.
- The features and the advantages of the filling method according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a thin-body flexible bag provided with a spout; -
FIGS. 2a and 2b show the spout of the bag inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 shows a partially sectional view of the spout shown inFIGS. 2a and 2 b; -
FIG. 4 shows a plan sectional view of the spout of the preceding figures; -
FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of region V inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 shows the spout of the preceding figures, partially sectional, in a configuration of closing a valve; -
FIG. 7 shows an enlargement of region VII inFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 shows the spout inFIG. 6 , in a configuration of opening the valve; -
FIG. 9 shows an enlargement of region IX inFIG. 8 ; and -
FIGS. 10 and 11 schematically show a filling nozzle and a flexible bag to be filled according to an embodiment of the present invention. - With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates a flexible pouch, comprising a
bag 2 formed by two ormore walls 4 made of flexible film, facing and joined, for example welded, along the edges, possibly with gusset side walls (gusset pouch) or with a back wall. - The pouch 1 comprises a spout 6 (spouted pouch) of rigid material, sealingly applied to the
bag 2. In particular, thespout 6 is typically inserted in a portion of the edge of thebag 2, usually between theside walls 4. - Preferably, the
spout 6 is made as a single piece, internally hollow, of plastic material, for example of polyethylene or polypropylene, by injection molding. - The
spout 6 develops substantially along a longitudinal axis Z and provides externally, in succession, awelding portion 8, anintermediate portion 10 and anend portion 12. - The
welding portion 8 comprises anannular base wall 14, usually internally cylindrical and externally circular, having aninner opening 15, and a plurality ofribs 16 protruding from the outer surface of thebase wall 14, arranged parallel to each other, in axial succession. - Moreover, the
welding portion 8 comprises a pair offlat side tabs 18 a, 18 b, projecting radially outwardly from thebase wall 14, arranged diametrically opposite and coplanar on an imaginary plane which contains the longitudinal axis Z. - The
ribs 16 are arranged on one side and on the other of the imaginary plane, extending over thebase wall 14 and up to the end of theside tabs 18 a, 18 b, forming a typical “boat” structure, so much so that the welding portion is often referred to as a “welding boat”. - The
intermediate portion 10 preferably comprises a plurality oftransverse plates - The
plate 20 c closest to theend portion 12 preferably carries a plurality ofengagement elements 22 for engaging with a guarantee seal of a spout cap. - The
end portion 12 typically has athread 26 and a freeouter surface 24. - Internally, the
spout 6 is provided with at least two compartments: aninner chamber 30, accessible through theinner opening 15, and amain duct 32, accessible through themouth portion 28 and adjacent to theinner chamber 30. - Preferably, the
inner chamber 30 extends axially starting from theinner opening 15 for thewhole welding portion 8 and for a part of theintermediate portion 10; themain duct 32 extends axially starting from themouth portion 28 for thewhole end portion 12 and for the remaining part of theintermediate portion 10. - In particular, the
main duct 32 leads into theinner chamber 30 through atubular tang wall 34. - Preferably, the
tang wall 34 has a cylindrical circular inner side surface and a diameter smaller than the diameter of themain duct 32. - The connection between the inner side surface of the
tang wall 34 and the surface of themain duct 32 is obtained from a frustoconical connectingsurface 36. - On the side of the
inner chamber 30, thetang wall 34 is surrounded by anannular recess 38. - Moreover, at a predefined axial distance from the free end of the
tang wall 34, theinner chamber 30 has acircumferential projection 40, continuous or in segments, and preferably a connectingsurface 44 of theinner chamber 30, between thecircumferential projection 40 and therecess 38, is frustoconical, converging towards the recess. - According to the invention, a
valve assembly 50 is provided inside thespout 6, in theinner chamber 30, at thetang wall 34. - The
valve assembly 50 comprises avalve 52, made as a single piece, preferably made of silicone, and a retaining ring 54, made as a single piece, made of plastic material, for supporting and applying thevalve 52. - The
valve 52 comprises an annularouter wall 60, an annularinner wall 62, radially arranged inside theouter wall 60, anintermediate wall 64, substantially lying on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z, and aflexible membrane 66 which closes theinner wall 62. - The
membrane 66 has at least onecut 68, preferably a plurality of throughcuts 68 which formmembrane flaps 69, normally closed (FIG. 7 ). - The
valve 52 is placed abutting against thetang wall 34; in particular, theouter wall 60 is at thetang wall 34. - Overall, the
valve 52 has a concave profile on the side of themain duct 32. - In particular, the
membrane 66 is flat or concave on the side facing the main duct, while preferably it has a convex profile towards theinner chamber 30. - The retaining ring 54 comprises a
support portion 70, which supports thevalve 52, and atail portion 72. - The
support portion 70 has internally anannular seat 74, in which theouter wall 60 of thevalve 52 is inserted, and externally aradial projection 76 for the snap engagement with thecircumferential projection 40 of theinner chamber 30. - In front of the
radial projection 76, thesupport portion 70 has aconcave support surface 78 to facilitate the snap engagement with thecircumferential projection 40. - The axial dimensions of the valve assembly are such that the
valve assembly 50 is arranged in theinner chamber 30, but outside the portion of theinner chamber 30 corresponding to thewelding portion 8. - Advantageously, this allows preventing structural deformations of the valve or of the retaining ring or of both, due to the heat and to the mechanical actions that develop during the welding process of the spout to the bag.
- For the assembly of the
spout 6 and thevalve assembly 50, the latter is inserted into thespout 6 on the side of theinner opening 15 and thevalve 52 is brought in abutment with thetang wall 34. - By axially forcing the retaining ring 54, a snap engagement with the spout is implemented, and in particular between the
radial projection 76 of the retaining ring 54 and thecircumferential projection 40 of the inner chamber. - The
valve 52, and in particular theouter wall 60, remains pinched between thetang wall 34 and thesupport portion 70 of the retaining ring. - Once the
spout 6 is applied to thebag 2, the bag is filled through themouth portion 28 of the main duct 32 (FIGS. 6 to 9 ). - In particular, the filling is carried out by means of a filling nozzle, from which the product to be filled comes out, which for the entire filling step of the bag remains outside the spout.
- In the prior art filling procedures, a cannula is provided which is inserted into the main duct, passes through the valve membrane, thus spreading the flaps and feeds the product directly into the bag or into the inner chamber of the spout.
- Contrary to what happens in the prior art processes, the present invention provides for positioning the filling nozzle outside the spout and letting the product out of it.
- The product flows into the main duct and comes into contact with the
membrane 66 of thevalve 52, operating an action from the outside on the latter, such as to deform theflaps 69 inwardly, so as to enter theinner chamber 30. - In other words, the
membrane 66 of thevalve 52 providesflaps 69 having to sufficient flexibility to be deformed inwardly by the action of the product fed into the main duct. - According to a preferred embodiment, a filling machine for filling the bags with a spout described above comprises a plurality of nozzle groups 100 (
FIGS. 10 and 11 ), comprising agripping body 102, which engages with thespout 6, and anozzle 104 for dispensing the product, provided with a dispensingend 106 located inside thegripping body 102. - In particular, the
gripping body 102 is provided with a straightgripping conduit 108, in which theend portion 12 of thespout 6 is partially inserted, and in particular the portion thereof corresponding to the freeouter surface 24. - The
gripping body 102 then internally has acollection compartment 110, which feeds thegripping conduit 108 and which houses the dispensingend 106 of thenozzle 104. - The dispensing
end 106 has adelivery port 112, normally closed, for example by ashutter 114, preferably in the form of a stem. - From the
delivery port 112, arranged upstream of themouth portion 28, the product for filling comes out. - The
shutter 114 can be controlled so as to open and close thedelivery port 112. - When the
shutter 114 opens thedelivery port 112, the product flows into thecollection compartment 110, then into thegripping conduit 108 and, through themouth portion 28, into themain conduit 32 of thespout 6 and, when thevalve 52 is opened, inside of thebag 2. - Innovatively, the filling method according to the present invention meets the needs of the industry, since it is particularly reliable, does not provide complex injection cannulas and therefore does not put the integrity of the valve at risk, which could be damaged by insertion of the cannula according to the prior art.
- It is clear that a man skilled in the art can make changes to the filling method described above.
- For example, according to a variant embodiment, the nozzle partially penetrates into the main duct of the spout, so that the
delivery port 112 is located in themain duct 32, upstream of thevalve 52, without passing therethrough. - Also such variants are included within the scope as defined by the following claims.
Claims (5)
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IT102017000120600 | 2017-10-24 | ||
IT102017000120600A IT201700120600A1 (en) | 2017-10-24 | 2017-10-24 | FILLING METHOD OF A THIN PACKAGED UNIT WITH CANNUCCIA |
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US20190119024A1 true US20190119024A1 (en) | 2019-04-25 |
US10710753B2 US10710753B2 (en) | 2020-07-14 |
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US16/168,207 Active US10710753B2 (en) | 2017-10-24 | 2018-10-23 | Method for filling a thin-body flexible bag provided with a spout |
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US (1) | US10710753B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3476750B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP7165189B2 (en) |
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CL (1) | CL2020001105A1 (en) |
CR (1) | CR20200172A (en) |
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RU (1) | RU2764563C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019123030A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA202002061B (en) |
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US11292643B2 (en) * | 2018-10-31 | 2022-04-05 | Guala Pack S.P.A. | Closure for a spout of a flexible thin-walled package |
US11312555B2 (en) * | 2017-12-18 | 2022-04-26 | Guala Pack S.P.A. | Cap and cap-spout assembly |
US20220185511A1 (en) * | 2019-05-06 | 2022-06-16 | ChooMee Inc. | Pouch filling station |
US20230040059A1 (en) * | 2021-08-09 | 2023-02-09 | Ilc Dover Lp | Controlling a fluid flow |
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JP7174593B2 (en) * | 2018-10-30 | 2022-11-17 | 藤森工業株式会社 | Method for refilling contents from spout and refilling container to packaging container |
US10934039B2 (en) * | 2018-12-31 | 2021-03-02 | Dow Global Technologies Llc | Support system for filling a flexible container |
IT202000007678A1 (en) * | 2020-04-09 | 2021-10-09 | Seko Spa | BRACKET FOR SUPPORTING A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER |
CN112357375B (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2022-07-26 | 江苏威拉里新材料科技有限公司 | Metal powder vacuum collection device |
US11702252B2 (en) | 2021-09-17 | 2023-07-18 | Cheer Pack North America LLC | Tamper-evident closure for container |
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Also Published As
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BR112020008106A2 (en) | 2020-10-27 |
PL3476750T3 (en) | 2021-12-06 |
WO2019123030A1 (en) | 2019-06-27 |
ES2885899T3 (en) | 2021-12-15 |
CL2020001105A1 (en) | 2020-08-14 |
JP7165189B2 (en) | 2022-11-02 |
CN111315658A (en) | 2020-06-19 |
EP3476750B1 (en) | 2021-06-02 |
CR20200172A (en) | 2020-07-24 |
CA3078931A1 (en) | 2019-06-27 |
US10710753B2 (en) | 2020-07-14 |
EP3476750A1 (en) | 2019-05-01 |
RU2020115478A3 (en) | 2021-11-08 |
MX2020004416A (en) | 2020-08-06 |
IT201700120600A1 (en) | 2019-04-24 |
RU2764563C2 (en) | 2022-01-18 |
AU2018392834A1 (en) | 2020-04-30 |
RU2020115478A (en) | 2021-11-08 |
ZA202002061B (en) | 2021-10-27 |
JP2021500276A (en) | 2021-01-07 |
CN111315658B (en) | 2021-12-10 |
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